Early America: Exploration and the Thirteen Colonies

Use geographic tools, grids, coordinate systems, and thematic maps to locate places and analyze geographic features across Earth.

Analyze the major geographic regions, physical landforms, climates, states, and capitals across the United States with a focus on the Midwest.

Examine the diverse cultures, governance systems, adaptations, and sovereign heritage of Indigenous nations across North America and Wisconsin.

Analyze European maritime exploration, the Columbian Exchange, and the social, economic, and regional structures of the Thirteen Colonies.

Examine the causes, major milestones, diverse perspectives, and foundational ideals of the American Revolution.

Trace nineteenth-century territorial expansion, transportation revolutions, frontier migrations, and the development of Wisconsin as the 30th state.

Understand the principles of the U.S. and Wisconsin Constitutions, the three branches of government at federal, state, and local levels, and active civic participation.

Apply foundational economic principles of goods, services, supply, demand, trade, and specialization to regional and Wisconsin industries.

Analyze primary and secondary sources, construct chronological timelines, evaluate point of view, and practice disciplined historical thinking.

Connect historical figures, eras, and decisions to present-day Wisconsin, American, and global issues and draw meaningful personal reflections.